United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

Seal of the United States Senate

United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

The United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) is a standing committee of the United States Senate. The committee has broad jurisdiction over the nation's health care, education, employment, and retirement policies. It is one of the most influential committees in the Senate due to its wide-ranging impact on American society.

History[edit | edit source]

The HELP Committee was originally established in 1869 as the Committee on Education. Over the years, its jurisdiction expanded, and it underwent several name changes. In 1999, it was renamed the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions to reflect its broader scope.

Jurisdiction[edit | edit source]

The HELP Committee oversees a wide array of issues, including:

Health care policy and public health
Education policy, including higher education and elementary and secondary education
Labor issues, including workplace safety, wage standards, and employment discrimination
Pensions and retirement security

Subcommittees[edit | edit source]

The HELP Committee is divided into several subcommittees, each focusing on specific areas within its jurisdiction. These subcommittees include:

Subcommittee on Children and Families
Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety
Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security

Membership[edit | edit source]

The committee is composed of Senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties. The membership is determined by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and reflects the party composition of the Senate.